The NBA's financial model is broken. The players union is going to have to sacrifice a lot to avoid a lockout. It's just too expensive to go to a NBA game for Joe Fan.

To take my family of four to a Cavs game sitting in waborat's seats, it costs me about $600 when it's all said and done. Lesser seats - looking at about $400. Cavs ticket prices are above average, but a lot of teams are losing money, even while charging prices most fans can't afford. The economy is hurting corporate ticket sales and suite revenues. Player salaries need to come down.

Stern is already starting to lay out the reality of this to the union, and IMO, is the best commissioner in the history of pro sports in my lifetime.

"It's like dating a woman who hates you so much she will never break up with you, even if you burn down the house every single autumn." ~ Chuck Klosterman on Browns fans relationship with the Browns

I do like the sot cap + luxury tax system the have in place. Gives you something between baseball and football. Allows teams to go somewhat over, allowing a team willing to spend that extra guy they might need, but never allowing a full on baseball dichotomy. Just bring the overall levels down and I think you have something.

Echo the price point of an NBA game. Will be interesting to see how these max guaranteed deals get shaken out...

"When a man with money meets a man with experience, the man with experience leaves with money and the man with money leaves with experience."

Thanks guy's !!! I was mainly wondering about the contract cuz I thought I read somewhere that LeBron only signed a 3 year contract cuz he wanted to see what the bargaining committe would come up with during the contract year.